Police make arrests at Thatcher death street parties in Bristol and Brixton

Officers injured during public disorder as hundreds turn out across cities in Britain to celebrate former prime minister's death

Police officers were injured and arrests were made as protesters held street parties in cities around Britain celebrating the death of Margaret Thatcher.

One officer was taken to hospital and five others were injured in clashes in Bristol after a street party turned violent. A man was arrested after revellers refused to leave the street party, and threw cans and bottles at police, according to Avon and Somerset police. A police vehicle was damaged and an officer remains in hospital. His injuries are not thought to be serious.

Police said the group "refused requests to peacefully disperse", leading to the use of shields and batons by officers. A spokeswoman said police received a number of calls from residents about the party.

She said party-goers were "throwing stuff around and starting fires" before police arrived.

In Brixton, south London, people gathered from around 5.30pm in Windrush Square and by nightfall had attracted about 200 protesters after a party was announced on Facebook. The Ritzy cinema was festooned in banners, with the now showing sign rearranged to spell out "Margaret Thatcher dead". One banner read: "Rejoice, Thatcher is dead." Others chanted: "Maggie, Maggie, Maggie, dead, dead, dead."

The Metropolitan police said there had been low-level disorder in Brixton. Two women were arrested on suspicion of burglary after a shop front was broken.

"Last night police dealt with approximately 100 people who caused low level disorder," said a Met spokesman. Extra officers were called to the scene to ensure "public safety and accessibility to public highways", he added.

On the Facebook page set up to organise the party, a woman had written: "Well I hope the idiots who told me they were off down Brixton High Street for the sake of the community (sic) are proud of the fact they smashed the windows of Barnardo's the Children's charity, but left Foxtons, the banks and McDonald's in tact. I'm proud of the people that hung around to clear up."

In Leeds, a group gathered to hand out "Thatcher's dead cake", singing and cheering at one of several street parties. In YouTube footage a man is seen chanting 'If you all hate Thatcher clap your hands' into a megaphone. While in Liverpool, where many reviled Thatcher for her role in the closure of the city's docks and her perceived role and views on the Hillsborough disaster, there was a gathering lit by red flares on the steps of Lime street station. Police said they had not been called to any disturbances in the city related to the former prime minister's death.

Around 300 people gathered in Glasgow's George Square which experienced highly charged poll tax protests in 1989, after the introduction of one of Thatcher's most divisive measures. Revellers wore party hats, and popped a bottle of champagne while streamers were thrown into the sky. Groups such as the Communist party, the Socialist party, the Anti-Bedroom Tax Federation and the International Socialist Group were joined by members of the public. Martin Chomsky, the lead singer of Chomsky Allstars, performed his song So Long Margaret Thatcher in George Square. "There are mixed emotions. I was never brought up to celebrate anyone's death but the pain she brought to Latin America, Europe and around the world should be remembered," he said.

"I would rather that Thatcherism was dead because she is mostly to blame for what is going on today. She is responsible, but not solely, for the massive gap between the rich and the poor."

In Derry and Belfast, there were republican celebrations. In one incident in Derry a petrol bomb was thrown at a passing police patrol near Free Derry Corner during a street party. In the Falls Road area of west Belfast, car horns were sounded and champagne bottles cracked open as hundreds gathered to wave flags and chant.

In Trafalgar Square, central London, champagne bottles were passed around as people celebrated, while a Facebook group is calling for another celebration in Trafalgar Square on Saturday from 6pm. A separate campaign has been launched to make Ding Dong! The Witch is Dead reach No1 in the music charts.

While I 110% support their right to do so that's just ****ed up. Then again I'm sure there will people who will do the same thing one day when Obama kicks the bucket. The depravity of humanity never ceases to amaze me.....

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"Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t*rd by the clean end"

Those are Leftists: Progs and Socialists. What they refer to as Labour Party adherents over there.

Englanders call socialists "the Labour Party?" I don't think so. The Labour Party may be center-left and have historic ties to umbrella socialist organizations, but they don't celebrate the death of Margaret Thatcher in the streets.

Englanders call socialists "the Labour Party?" I don't think so. The Labour Party may be center-left and have historic ties to umbrella socialist organizations, but they don't celebrate the death of Margaret Thatcher in the streets.

The Labour Party is bit more left than left center....and yes, they do celebrate the death of Margaret Thatcher:

While I 110% support their right to do so that's just ****ed up. Then again I'm sure there will people who will do the same thing one day when Bush kicks the bucket. The depravity of humanity never ceases to amaze me.....

While I 110% support their right to do so that's just ****ed up. Then again I'm sure there will people who will do the same thing one day when Obama kicks the bucket. The depravity of humanity never ceases to amaze me.....

When Obama dies the people that wouldn't be sad about it will be at work. There will be great wailing in the streets by the folks that love him.

"a bit more left than left center" -- so left-left center? left-no center? Your qualification seems to lead to an absurd amount categorization. What I said was correct in the general use of that term.

I'm not going to let your exceptional example establish a rule. It's intellectually dishonest and would be like saying that Republicans control local politics by bribery and pointing to Jay Savino for this rule.